Multi-user remote health monitoring system with biometrics support

ABSTRACT

The invention presents a networked system for identifying an individual, communicating information to the individual, and remotely monitoring the individual. The system includes a remotely programmable apparatus that occasionally connects to a server via a communication network such as the Internet. The remotely programmable apparatus interacts with the individual in accordance with a script program received from the server Among other capabilities, the script program may instruct the remotely programmable apparatus to identify the individual, to communicate information to the individual, to communicate queries to the individual, to receive responses to the queries, and to transmit information identifying the individual and the responses from the remotely programmable apparatus to the server. Information identifying the individual may be obtained via a biometrics sensor, a data card, a remote monitoring device, or the interception of data from a separate information system. The information identifying the individual may be used by either or both the server system and remotely programmable apparatus for security, customization and other purposes. As the present invention has multi-user capabilities, it can be used in a public place, such as a pharmacy or health care clinic. The multi-user capabilities also allow collection and tracking of user data for the healthcare industry.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/665,442filed Sep. 19, 2000, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No.09/357,536 filed Jul. 19, 1999, now abandoned, which is a Continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 09/127,404, filed Jul. 31, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No.5,940,801 issued on Aug. 17, 1999, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 08/843,495 filed Apr. 16, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,943 issuedOct. 27, 1998, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/682,385 filedJul. 17, 1996, now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No.08/479,570 filed Jun. 7, 1995, now abandoned, which is a Continuation ofU.S. Ser. No. 08/233,674 filed Apr. 26, 1994, now abandoned.

This application is also a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No.09/665,442 which is a Continuation-in-Part of Ser. No. 09/293,363 filedon Apr. 16, 1999, now abandoned, U.S. Ser. No. 09/203,882 filed on Dec.1, 1998, now abandoned, U.S. Ser. No. 09/159,219 filed on Sep. 23, 1998,now abandoned, U.S. Ser. No. 09/159,058 filed on Sep. 23, 1998, nowabandoned, U.S. Ser. No. 09/203,880 filed Dec. 1, 1998, now abandoned,U.S. Ser. No. 09/201,323 filed on Nov. 30, 1998, now abandoned, U.S.Ser. No. 09/320,004 filed on May 26, 1999, now abandoned, U.S. Ser. No.09/318,708 filed on May 26, 1999, now abandoned, and U.S. Ser. No.09/274,433 filed on Mar. 22, 1999 now abandoned.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of a U.S. Ser. No. 09/422,046filed Oct. 20, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,028 which issued on Nov. 24,2009, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/271,217 filed Mar. 17,1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,563 issued on Jan. 2, 2001, which is aContinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/271,217 filed Mar. 17, 1999 now U.S.Pat. No. 5,899,855 issued on May 4, 1999, which is a Continuation ofU.S. Ser. No. 08/233,397 filed on Apr. 26, 1994 now abandoned, which isa Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/977,323 filed Nov. 17, 1992now U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,263 issued on Apr. 26, 1994, and also U.S. Ser.No. 09/422,046 is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/946,341filed Oct. 7, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,476 issued on Dec. 7, 1999,which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/847,009 filed Apr.30, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,493 issued on Apr. 27, 1999, whichclaims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/041,746 filed onMar. 28, 1997 and Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/041,751 filed onMar. 28, 1997.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/237,194filed on Jan. 26, 1999 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S.Ser. No. 08/481,925 filed Jun. 7, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,855issued on May 4, 1999, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No.08/233,397 filed on Apr. 26, 1994 now abandoned, which is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/977,323 filed Nov 17, 1992 nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,307,263 issued Apr. 26, 1994.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/201,372filed on Nov. 30, 1998 now abandoned, which is a Continuation-in-Part ofU.S. Ser. No. 08/669,613 filed Jun. 24, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,163issued on Mar. 9, 1999.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/378,188filed on Aug. 20, 1999 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S.Ser. No. 08/850,840 filed May 3, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,559 issuedon Nov. 16, 1999, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No.08/847,009 filed Apr. 30, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,493 issued Apr.27, 1999.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/304,447filed May 3, 1999 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 08/771,951 filed Dec. 23, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,136 issuedAug. 3, 1999.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/531,237filed Mar. 21, 2000 now abandoned, which is a Continuation-in-Part ofU.S. Ser. No. 09/300,856 filed Apr. 28, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,273issued Apr. 19, 2002, which is a Divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 08/946,341filed Oct. 7, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,476 issued on Dec. 7, 1999,which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/847,009 filed Apr.30, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,493 issued Apr. 27, 1999, which claimspriority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/041,746 filed Mar. 28,1997, and also Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/041,751 filed Mar.28, 1997 filed Mar. 28, 1997.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/540,482filed Mar. 31, 2000 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 09/394,219 filed Sep. 13, 1999 now U.S. Patent No. 6,375,469 whichissued on Apr. 23, 2002, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No.08/814,293 filed Mar. 10, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,300 issued Sep.14, 1999.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/518,426filed Mar. 3, 2000 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 08/972,375 filed Nov. 18, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,615 issuedMay 30, 2000, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No.08/681,290 filed Jul. 22, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,814 issued Jul.21, 1998, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/278,929filed Jul. 22, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,212 issued Oct. 29, 1996.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/495,809filed Feb. 1, 2000 now abandoned, which is a Continuation-in-Part ofU.S. Ser. No. 09/336,570 filed Jun. 21, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,145issued Feb. 13, 2001, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No.08/958,786 filed Oct 29, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,310issued Jun. 22,1999, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/857,187 filedMay 15, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,603 issued Jul. 6, 1999, which is aContinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/247,716 filed May 23, 1994 now U.S.Pat. No. 5,678,571 issued Oct. 21, 1997, U.S. Ser. No. 09/495,809 isalso a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/271,188 filed Mar. 17, 1999 nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,334,778 issued on Jan. 1, 2002, which is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/946,341 filed Oct. 7, 1997 nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,997,476 issued Dec. 7, 1999, which is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/847,009 filed Apr. 30, 1997 nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,897,493 issued Apr. 27, 1999, which claims priority toProvisional Application Ser. No. 60/041,746 filed Mar. 28, 1997 and toProvisional Application Ser. No. 60/041,751 filed Mar. 28, 1997, andalso U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,778 is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No.09/127,404 filed Jul. 31, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,801 issued Aug.17, 1999, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/843,495 filed Apr.16, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,943 issued Oct. 27, 1998, which is aContinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/682,385 filed Jul. 17, 1996 nowabandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/479,570 filedJun. 7, 1995 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No.08/233,674 filed Apr. 26, 1994 now abandoned.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No.09/496,893filed Feb. 2, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,407 which issuedDec. 13, 2011, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/041,809 filedMar. 13, 1998 now abandoned.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/658,209filed Sep. 8, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,375 which issued Nov. 22,2005, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/237,194 filedJan. 26, 1999 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No.08/481,925 filed Jun. 7, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,855 issued May 4,1999, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/233,397 filed Apr. 26,1994 now abandoned, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No.07/977,323 filed Nov. 17, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,263 issued Apr.16, 1994.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/160,970filed Sep. 25, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,393 issued on May 29, 2001,which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/092,604 filed Jun.5, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,686 issued Feb. 8, 2000, which is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/784,270 filed Jan. 15, 1997 nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,887,133 issued on Mar. 23, 1999, and which is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/603,131 filed Feb. 20, 1996 nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,794,219 issued on Aug. 11, 1998.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/880,735filed Jun. 12, 2001 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 09/152,353 filed Sep. 14, 1998 now U.S. Patent No. 6,246,992 issuedJun. 12, 2011, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No.08/732,158 filed Oct. 16, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,448 issued Nov.3, 1998.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/653,664now U.S. Pat. No. 7,277,867 issued Oct. 2, 2007, which is a Continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 09/304,446 filed May 3, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No.6,167,386 issued Dec. 26, 2000, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No.09/092,604 filed Jun. 5, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,686 issued Feb. 8,2000, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/603,131 filedFeb. 20, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,219 issued Aug. 11, 1998, and aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/784,270 filed Jan. 15, 1997 nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,887,133 issued Mar. 23, 1999.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/441,408filed Nov. 16, 1999 now abandoned, and application U.S. Ser. No.09/810,334 filed Mar. 14, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,326, which claimspriority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/189,536 filed on Mar.15, 2000, and to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/239,533 filed Oct.10, 2000, and to and U.S. Provisional Application 60/242,681 filed Oct.20, 2000 now abandoned.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/810,865filed Mar. 16, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,818 issued Jan. 23, 2007,which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/399,122 filed Sep. 20, 1999now U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,539 issued May 15, 2001, which is a Continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 08/781,278 filed Jan. 10, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No.5,956,501 issued Sep. 21, 1999.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/024,445filed Dec. 17, 2001 now abandoned, which claims priority to ProvisionalApplication 60/256,715 filed Dec. 18, 2000.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/799,852filed March 5, 2001 now abandoned which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 09/274,431 filed Mar. 22, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,970 issuedMar. 6, 2001, and U.S. Ser. No. 09/119,546 filed Jul. 20, 1998 now U.S.Pat. No. 6,330,426 issued Dec. 11, 2001, which is a Continuation-in-Partof U.S. Ser. No. 08/953,883 filed Oct. 20, 1997 now abandoned, which isa Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/757,129 filed Dec. 3, 1996now U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,837 issued Nov. 7, 2000, which is a Continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 08/334,643 filed Nov. 4, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No.5,601,435 issued Feb. 11, 1997. U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,426 is also aContinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/958,786 filed Oct. 29, 1997 now U.S.Pat. No. 5,913,310 issued Jun. 22, 1999, which is a Continuation-in-Partof U.S. Ser. No. 08/857,187 filed May 15, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No.5,918,603 issued Jul. 6, 1999, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No.08/247,716 filed May 23, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,571 issued Oct.21, 1997.

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/995,609filed Dec. 22, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,272 issued Apr. 3, 2001.

All of the above named applications are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to remote health monitoring systems. Inparticular, it relates to a multi-user remote health monitoring systemwhich is capable of identifying a particular user in a number ofdifferent ways. The multi-user remote health monitoring system can alsobe used for tracking and collecting patient data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the United States alone, over 100 million people have chronic healthconditions, accounting for an estimated $700 billion in annual medicalcosts. In an effort to control these medical costs, many healthcareproviders have initiated outpatient or home healthcare programs fortheir patients. The potential benefits of these programs areparticularly great for chronically ill patients who must treat theirdiseases on a daily basis. However, the success of these programs isdependent upon the ability of the healthcare providers to monitor thepatients remotely to avert medical problems before they becomecomplicated and costly. Unfortunately, no convenient and cost effectivemonitoring system exists for the patients who have the greatest need formonitoring, namely the poor and the elderly.

Prior attempts to monitor patients remotely have included the use ofpersonal computers and modems to establish communication betweenpatients and healthcare providers. However, computers are too expensiveto give away and the patients who already own computers are only afraction of the total population. Further, the patients who owncomputers are typically young, well educated, and have good healthcarecoverage. Thus, these patients do not have the greatest unmet medicalneeds. The patients who have the greatest unmet medical needs are thepoor and elderly who do not own computers or who are unfamiliar withtheir use.

Similar attempts to establish communication between patients andhealthcare providers have included the use of the Internet and internetterminals. Although internet terminals are somewhat less costly thanpersonal computers, they are still too expensive to give away topatients. Moreover, monthly on-line access charges are prohibitive.

Other attempts to monitor patients remotely have included the use ofmedical monitoring devices with built-in modems. Examples of suchmonitoring devices include blood glucose meters, respiratory flowmeters, and heart rate monitors. Unfortunately, these monitoring devicesare only designed to collect physiological data from the patients. Theydo not allow flexible and dynamic querying of the patients for otherinformation, such as quality of life measures or psycho-social variablesof illness. Another problem with such devices is that only the mostself-motivated patients generate enough useful physiological data andcall in regularly. Thus this method is not a good way to reachnon-compliant patients.

Prior attempts to monitor patients remotely have also included the useof interactive telephone or video response systems. Such interactivesystems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,238 issued to Kirk et al.on Feb. 14, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,611 issued to Tamura on Jul. 18,1995, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,047 issued to David et al. on Aug. 15,1995. One disadvantage of these systems is that they either require apatient to call in to a central facility to be monitored or require thecentral facility to call the patient according to a rigid monitoringschedule.

If the patients are required to call the central facility, only thecompliant patients will actually call regularly to be monitored.Non-compliant patients will typically wait until an emergency situationdevelops before contacting their healthcare provider, thus defeating thepurpose of the monitoring system. If the central facility calls eachpatient according to a monitoring schedule, it is intrusive to thepatient's life and resistance to the monitoring grows over time.

Interactive telephone response systems, moreover, are generallyincapable of collecting medical data from monitoring devices, such asblood glucose meters, respiratory flow meters, or heart rate monitors.In addition, patients tend to dislike the regular intrusion whichdecreases their compliance with the monitoring system.

Interactive video systems, on the other hand, cost around $20,000 forinstallation and are prohibitively expensive for the majority ofpatients. It is also difficult to identify each patient uniquely usingthis system.

A further disadvantage of these conventional interactive responsesystems is that they are aimed at a single user, thus preventing anymulti-user capabilities. Interactive video response systems are tooexpensive to install for a single user. Interactive telephone responsesystems can be used for more than one member of a household, but it isoften difficult to distinguish between the different patients. Thesecharacteristics, in conjunction with the fact that patients using theconventional interactive response systems do not usually exhibit regularuse patterns, means that the patient data collected is statisticallyunreliable. Thus, these systems are not equipped to handle patient datacollection and tracking.

Also, as conventional interactive response systems are intended for usein a patient's home, they are not suited for use in public areas. Theirsingle user nature makes them ill-equipped to handle a large volume ofusers. Touch screen kiosks, which are commonly used in lobbies of publicbuildings to disseminate information, are difficult to individualize fora patient and are also very expensive. In addition, kiosks areself-contained and not designed to work with other separate informationsystems, such as the Internet or a healthcare provider's informationsystem.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a simple and inexpensive system for identifying and remotelymonitoring a plurality of patients. It is another object of the presentinvention to provide a remote monitoring system which incurs a minimalhardware cost per patient. It is another object of the present inventionto communicate information to a plurality of patients. It is anotherobject of the invention to provide a system which allows flexible anddynamic querying of a plurality of patients. Another object of thepresent invention is to allow automatic identification of an individualby use of biometric information, a data card, a remote monitoringdevice, or a separate information system. It is another object of thepresent invention to assign scripts to patients automatically. It is afurther object of the present invention to allow the collection andtracking of data from a plurality of patients for statistical analysis.It is another object of the present invention to provide an interactiveresponse system which accepts and uses input from separate informationsystems. A final object of the present invention is to provideindividualized patient interaction at a public terminal withoutincreasing administration costs.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent afterconsideration of the ensuing description and the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

The invention presents a networked system for remotely identifying andmonitoring a plurality of individuals, and for communicating informationto the individuals. The system includes a server, and a workstation forentering into the server query sets to be answered by the individuals.The server is preferably a world wide web server and the workstation ispreferably a personal computer or network terminal connected to the webserver via the Internet. The system also includes a remotelyprogrammable apparatus for identifying and interacting with theindividuals. The remotely programmable apparatus is connected to theserver via a communication network, preferably the Internet. Theremotely programmable apparatus interacts with the individuals inaccordance with script programs received from the server.

The server includes a script generator for generating script programsfrom the query sets which are entered through the workstation. Thescript programs are executable by the remotely programmable apparatus tocommunicate the query sets to the individuals, to receive responses tothe query sets, and to transmit the responses from the remotelyprogrammable apparatus to the server. The server also includes adatabase connected to the script generator for storing the scriptprogram and the responses to the queries. The database also stores alist of individuals or individual types, and for each individual orindividual type, has a pointer to at least one script program. Theserver also has script assignment means connected to the database, whichassigns to an individual at least one script program, according toscript assignment information. The workstation allows a healthcareprovider to enter in the script assignment information or the scriptprograms may be automatically assigned based on individualidentification information gathered from a input through an interface tothe remote apparatus, a biometric sensor, a data card, a remotemonitoring device, or other separate information system.

The remotely programmable apparatus has a communication device, such asa modem, for receiving the script programs from the server and fortransmitting the responses to the server. The remotely progammableapparatus also has a user interface for communicating the query sets tothe individuals and for receiving the responses to the query sets. Inthe preferred embodiment, the user interface includes a display fordisplaying the query sets and user input buttons for entering theresponses to the query sets. In an alternative embodiment, the userinterface includes a speech synthesizer for audibly communicating thequery sets and a speech recognizer for receiving spoken responses to thequery sets.

The remotely programmable apparatus also includes a memory for storingthe script programs and the responses to the query sets. The remotelyprogrammable apparatus further includes a microprocessor connected tothe communication device, the user interface, and the memory. Themicroprocessor executes the script programs to identify the individual,communicate the query sets to the individual, receive the responses tothe query sets, and transmit the responses to the server through thecommunication network.

In one embodiment, the system also includes at least one monitoringdevice for producing measurements of a physiological condition of theindividual and for transmitting the measurements to the apparatus. Themonitoring device can also be used to help the remotely programmableapparatus identify the individual. The remotely programmable apparatusincludes a device interface connected to the microprocessor forreceiving the measurements from the monitoring device. The measurementsare stored in the memory and transmitted to the server along with theindividual's identity and the responses to the query sets. The serveralso preferably includes a report generator connected to the databasefor generating a report of the measurements and responses. The report isdisplayed on the workstation.

As the present invention has multi-user capabilities, it must identifyeach individual or individual type in order to select the correct scriptprogram. In one embodiment, the individual can enter his or her uniqueidentification code into the remotely programmable apparatus. The codeis sent to the server and used to determine which script program to sendback to the apparatus.

In another embodiment, the system uses a data card, which containsinformation about an individual's identity. The remotely programmableapparatus includes a data card reader in which the data card can beplaced and read. A personal identification number (PIN) can also be usedin conjunction with the data card in order confirm an individual'sidentity. In this embodiment, the present invention resembles an ATMmachine.

In yet another embodiment, the system utilizes a biometric informationgathered using a biometric sensor to determine an individual's identity.The biometric information is used by the methods and systems of theinvention to assign script programs, to customize script programs forthe identified individual and to provide security against unauthorizeduse for either or both the remote apparatus and server systems. Examplesof biometric information useable by the invention include: retinametrics, iris metrics, voice print metrics, body measurement metrics,handwriting metrics, body odor metrics, heart beat signature metrics andbiometrics that may be discernable from the individual's body fluidssuch as blood, urine or breath.

The system of the present invention can also identify an individual orindividual type (e.g., diabetic) by intercepting data from a separateinformation system. Data sent from a server of the separate informationsystem to a printer can pass through the remotely programmableapparatus, which can identify the individual and send the data to theserver of the present invention. The data passing through the remotelyprogrammable apparatus can also trigger a script program, which candisplay queries for the individual to answer, or send information to theprinter to be printed. An example of this embodiment has the remotelyprogrammable apparatus located in series between a pharmacy server and apharmacy printer.

Finally, the multi-user characteristic of the present invention makes itpossible to collect and track data on individuals. The informationgenerated can be used in a number of ways—for demographic marketingreports for pharmaceutical companies or for epidemiological studies byhealth care providers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

to FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked system according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the interaction of the componentsof the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a remotely programmable apparatus of thesystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the apparatusof FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a script entry screen according to the preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6A is a listing of a sample script program according to thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a continuation of the listing of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a script assignment screen according to the preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a sample prompt appearing on a display of the apparatus ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a sample query displayed on a workstation of the system ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a sample patient report displayed on the workstation of thesystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11A is a flow chart illustrating the steps included in a monitoringapplication executed by the server of FIG. 1 according to the preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11B-C are a continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a flow chart illustrating the steps included in the scriptprogram of FIGS. 6A-6B.

FIGS. 12B-C are a continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 flow chart illustrating the steps included in a monitoringapplication executed by the server of FIG. 1 according to an alternativeembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14A is a flow chart illustrating the steps included in the scriptprogram used in the alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14B is a continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 14A,

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a remotely programmable apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a sample prompt appearing on a display of the apparatus ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the apparatusof FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interaction of theserver of FIG. 1 with the apparatus of FIG. 3 according to a thirdembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a first sample message, appearing on the display of theapparatus of FIG. 3.

FIG. 20 is a second sample message, appearing on the display of theapparatus of FIG. 3.

FIG. 21 is a script entry screen according to the third embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a networked system according to the datainterception embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a remotely programmable apparatus ofthe system of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the apparatusof FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention presents a system and method for remotely identifying andmonitoring individuals, and for communicating information to theindividuals. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the individualsare patients and the system is used to collect data relating to thehealth status of the patients. The data can be used by healthcareproviders or pharmaceutical companies for research or marketingpurposes.

In the present invention, an individual is designated to mean a uniquepatient or a unique patient type, such as a diabetic. Also, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to remote patientmonitoring. The system and method of the invention may be used for anytype of remote monitoring application. The invention may also beimplemented as an automated messaging system for communicatinginformation to individuals, as will be discussed in an alternativeembodiment below.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-12.Referring to FIG. 1, a networked system 16 includes a server 18 and aworkstation 20 connected to server 18 through a communication network24. Server 18 is preferably a world wide web server and communicationnetwork 24 is preferably the Internet. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that server 18 may comprise a single stand-alonecomputer or multiple computers distributed throughout a network.Workstation 20 is preferably a personal computer, remote terminal, orweb TV unit connected to server 18 via the Internet. Workstation 20functions as a workstation for entering in server 18 messages andqueries to be communicated to the patients.

System 16 also includes a remotely programmable apparatus 26 formonitoring patients. Apparatus 26 is designed to interact with aplurality of patients in accordance with script programs received fromserver 18. Apparatus 26 is in communication with server 18 throughcommunication network 24, preferably the Internet. Alternatively,apparatus 26 may be placed in communication with server 18 via wirelesscommunication networks, cellular networks, telephone networks, or anyother network which allows apparatus 26 to exchange data with server 18.For clarity of illustration, only one apparatus 26 is shown in FIG. 1.It is to be understood that system 16 may include any number ofapparatuses, with each apparatus used to monitor any number of patients.

In the preferred embodiment, each patient to be monitored is alsoprovided with a monitoring device 28. Monitoring device 28 is designedto produce measurements of a physiological condition of the patient,record the measurements, and transmit the measurements to apparatus 26through a standard connection cable 30. Examples of suitable monitoringdevices 28 include blood glucose meters, respiratory flow meters, bloodpressure cuffs, electronic weight scales, and pulse rate monitors. Suchmonitoring devices are well known in the art. The specific type ofmonitoring device provided to each patient is dependent upon thepatient's disease. For example, diabetes patients are provided with ablood glucose meters for measuring blood glucose concentrations, asthmapatients are provided with respiratory flow meters for measuring peakflow rates, obesity patients are provided with weight scales, etc.

FIG. 2 shows server 18, workstation 20, and apparatus 26 in greaterdetail. Server 18 includes a database 38 for storing script programs 40.Script programs 40 are executed by apparatus 26 to communicate queriesand messages to a patient, receive responses 42 to the queries, collectmonitoring device measurements 44, and transmit responses 42 andmeasurements 44 to server 18. Database 38 is designed to store responses42 and measurements 44. Database 38 further includes a look-up table 46.Table 46 contains a list of the patients and patient types to bemonitored, and for each patient or patient type, a unique patientidentification code and a respective pointer to the script programassigned to the patient. Each apparatus 26 is designed to executeassigned script programs 40 which it receives from server 18. As eachapparatus 26 is used by a number of patients, apparatus 26 can executeany number of script programs 40.

FIGS. 3-4 show the structure of each apparatus 26 according to thepreferred embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, apparatus 26 includes ahousing 62. Housing 62 is sufficiently compact to enable apparatus 26 tobe placed unobtrusively on a pharmacy counter or check stand counter.Apparatus 26 also includes a display 64 for displaying queries andprompts to the patient. In the preferred embodiment, display 64 is aliquid crystal display (LCD).

Four user input buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D are located adjacentdisplay 64. User input buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D are for enteringin apparatus 26 responses to the queries and prompts. In the preferredembodiment, user input buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D are momentarycontact push buttons. In alternative embodiments, user input buttons70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D may be replaced by switches, keys, a touchsensitive display screen, or any other data input device.

Three monitoring device jacks 68A, 68B, and 68C are located on a surfaceof housing 62. Device jacks 68A, 68B, and 68C are for connectingapparatus 26 to a number of monitoring devices 28, such as blood glucosemeters, respiratory flow meters, or blood pressure cuffs, throughrespective connection cables (not shown). Apparatus 26 also includes amodem jack 66 for connecting apparatus 26 to a telephone jack through astandard connection cord (not shown). Apparatus 26 further includes avisual indicator, such as a light emitting diode (LED) 74. LED 74 is forvisually notifying the patient that he or she has unanswered queriesstored in apparatus 26.

Apparatus 26 also contains a data card reader 63. Data card reader 63 iscapable of reading a data card 65 containing information about apatient. In the present invention, data card 65 contains the patient'sidentity, condition or disease, and possibly prescription information.Data card 65 is placed in data card reader 63, thus allowing apparatus26 to identify the patient and assign script program 40. Apparatus 26also has a printer port 67, allowing apparatus 26 to be directlyconnected to a printer. Queries 94, responses 42, device measurements44, and other pertinent information stored on apparatus 26 can beprinted directly.

The apparatus also includes a biometric sensor 71 for gatheringbiometric information from the user. Examples of biometric sensors thatmay be used by the apparatus 26 include an optical device (e.g., acamera created from a CCD), a silicon sensor (e.g., a chip that gathersinformation using the capacitance occurring as a result of a body partcoming into contact with the silicon chip), a sound sensor (e.g., amicrophone), an olfactory sensor (e.g., an “artificial nose”) and/or asensor for measuring three dimensional biometric topology (e.g., a laseror ultrasound measuring device). The type of biometric sensor 71 used inan embodiment of the invention corresponds to the type of biometricinformation used by the methods of the invention.

The present invention may use any type of biometric informationgathering and analysis as described herein or known to those skilled inthe art. Biometric information includes information that when used aloneor in combination with other information uniquely identifies anindividual with reasonable certainty. Examples of biometric informationinclude: retina metrics, iris metrics, voice print metrics, bodymeasurement metrics, handwriting metric, body odor metrics, heart beatsignature metrics and biometrics that may be discernable from theindividual's body fluids such as blood, urine or breath. Retina metricsmake use of individual blood vessel patterns on the retina of the eyewhich are photographed, encoded, and compared to a previously coded“enrollment.” Iris metrics similarly refer to individualized patterns inthe iris of the eye which are photographed, encoded, and compared to apreviously coded “enrollment.” Voice print metrics capture a sample ofan individual voice which reflect the physical structure producing thevoice and the developmental speech patterns. Body measurement metricsmap the physical measurement of the body and may include the physicalcharacteristics of a finger, a hand, a face or other parts of the body.Handwriting metrics may include not only a comparison of the handwritingto a know sample, but also characteristics such as the speed, strokeorder and pressure associated with, for instance, a signature. Use ofphysiological measurements as biometric information is discussed in moredetail below.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the components ofapparatus 26 in greater detail. Apparatus 26 includes a microprocessor76, and a memory 80 connected to microprocessor 76. Memory 80 ispreferably a non-volatile memory, such as a serial EEPROM. Memory 80stores script programs 40 received from server 18, measurements 44received from monitoring device 28, responses to queries, and a patientor patient type's unique identification code. Unique information foridentifying the individual may also be stored in the memory 80 of theapparatus 26, by the server 18, or both. This unique information mayinclude a unique identification number or biometrics information aboutthe individual that uniquely identifies that individual. Microprocessor76 also includes built-in read only memory (ROM) which stores firmwarefor controlling the operation of apparatus 26. The firmware includes ascript interpreter used by microprocessor 76 to execute script programs40. The script interpreter interprets script commands which are executedby microprocessor 76.

The script commands allow apparatus 26 to identify the patient orpatient type through user buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D, monitoringdevice 28, data card 65, or printer port 67. They also allow apparatus26 to display the query sets to the patient, receive responses 42 to thequery sets, receive measurements 44 from monitoring device 28, andtransmit responses to server 18. Specific techniques for interpretingand executing script commands in this manner are well known in the art.

Microprocessor 76 is preferably connected to memory 80 using a standardtwo-wire I²C interface. Microprocessor 76 is also connected to userinput buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D, data card reader 63, printer port67, LED 74, a clock 84, and a display driver 82. Clock 84 indicates thecurrent date and time to microprocessor 76. For clarity of illustration,clock 84 is shown as a separate component, but is preferably built intomicroprocessor 76. Display driver 82 operates under the control ofmicroprocessor 76 to display information on display 64. Microprocessor76 is preferably a PIC 16C65 processor which includes a universalasynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) 78. UART 78 is forcommunicating with a modem 86 and a device interface 90. A CMOS switch88 under the control of microprocessor 76 alternately connects modem 86and interface 90 to UART 78.

Modem 86 is connected to a telephone jack 22 through Modem jack 66.Modem 86 is for exchanging data with server 18 through communicationnetwork 24. The data includes script programs 40 which are received fromserver 18 as well as responses 42 to queries, device measurements 44,script identification codes, and the patient or patient type's uniqueidentification code or other information that uniquely identifies theindividual which modem 86 transmits to server 18. Modem 86 is preferablya complete 28.8 K modem commercially available from Cermetek, althoughany suitable modem may be used.

Device interface 90 is connected to device jacks 68A, 68B, and 68C.Device interface 90 is for interfacing with a number of monitoringdevices, such as blood glucose meters, respiratory flow meters, bloodpressure cuffs, weight scales, or pulse rate monitors, through thedevice jacks. Device interface 90 operates under the control ofmicroprocessor 76 to collect measurements 44 from the monitoring devicesand to output the measurements to microprocessor 76 for storage inmemory 80. In the preferred embodiment, device interface 90 is astandard RS232 interface. For simplicity of illustration, only onedevice interface is shown in FIG. 4. However, in alternativeembodiments, apparatus 26 may include multiple device interfaces toaccommodate monitoring devices 28 which have different connectionstandards.

The monitoring device 28 may include a biometric sensor 79 in lieu of orin addition to a biometric sensor 71 made part of the apparatus 26. Inaddition to the types of biometric sensors 71 discussed above, abiometric sensor 79 may utilize or augment the data gathered by themonitoring device 28. For example, the biometric sensor 79 may make useof a heartbeat signature obtained by a pulse rate monitor, the bloodcharacteristic obtained using a blood glucose meter, or the signatureantigens present in a device reading a urine sample. Use of antigensignatures in urine to determine biometric information is theapplication Ser. No. 09/665,442, incorporated by reference.

Referring again to FIG. 2, server 18 includes a monitoring application48. Monitoring application 48 is a controlling software applicationexecuted by server 18 to perform the various functions described below.Application 48 includes a script generator 50, a script assignor 52, anda report generator 54. Script generator 50 is designed to generatescript programs 40 from script information entered through workstation20. The script information is entered through a script entry screen 56.In the preferred embodiment, script entry screen 56 is implemented as aweb page on server 18. Workstation 20 includes a web browser foraccessing the web page to enter the script information.

FIG. 5 illustrates script entry screen 56 as it appears on workstation20. Screen 56 includes a script name field 92 for specifying the name ofscript program 40 to be generated. Screen 56 also includes entry fields94 for entering query sets to be answered by a patient. Each entry field94 has corresponding response choice fields 96 for entering responsechoices for the query. Screen 56 further includes check boxes 98 forselecting desired monitoring device 28, such as a blood glucose meter,respiratory flow meter, or blood pressure cuff, from which to collectmeasurements 44.

Screen 56 additionally includes a connection time field 100 forspecifying a prescribed connection time at which apparatus 26 executingthe script is to establish a subsequent communication link to server 18.The connection time is preferably selected to be the time at whichcommunication rates are the lowest, such as 3:00 AM. During thisconnection time, apparatus 26 transmits to server 18 all responses 42and device measurements 44 it has received during the day. During thissame connection time, apparatus 26 also receives from server 18 allscript programs 40 it will need for the following day or until the nextprescribed connection time. This store and forward feature of apparatus26 reduces communication expenses. However, if numerous patients areusing apparatus 26, more than one connection can be made during the dayin order to download necessary script programs 40. Screen 56 alsoincludes a CREATE SCRIPT button 102 for instructing script generator 50to generate script program 40 from the information entered in screen 56.Screen 56 further includes a CANCEL button 104 for canceling theinformation entered in screen 56.

In the preferred embodiment, each script program 40 created by thescript generator 50 conforms to the standard file format used on UNIXsystems. In the standard file format, each command is listed in theupper case and followed by a colon. Every line in script program 40 isterminated by a linefeed character {LF}, and only one command is placedon each line. The last character in script program 40 is a UNIX end offile character {EOF}. Table 1 shows an exemplary listing of scriptcommands used in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

TABLE 1 SCRIPT COMMANDS Command Description CLS: {LF} Clear the display.ZAP: {LF} Erase from memory the last set of query responses recorded.LED: b{LF} Turn the LED on or off, where b is a binary digit of 0 or 1.An argument of 1 turns on the LED, and an argument of 0 turns off theLED. DISPLAY: Display the text following the DISPLAY command.{chars}{LF} INPUT: Record a button press. The m's represent a buttonmask mmmm{LF} pattern for each of the four input buttons. Each mcontains an “X” for disallowed buttons or an “O” for allowed buttons.For example, INPUT: OXOX{LF} allows the user to press either button #1or #3. WAIT: Wait for any one button to be pressed, then continue {LF}executing the script program. COLLECT: Collect measurements from themonitoring device specified device{LF} in the COLLECT command. The useris preferably prompted to connect the specified monitoring device to theapparatus and press a button to continue. NUMBER: Assign a scriptidentification code to the script program. aaaa{LF} The scriptidentification code from the most recently executed NUMBER, statement issubsequently transmitted to the server along with the query responsesand device measurements. The script identification code identifies tothe server which script program was most recently executed by the remoteapparatus. DELAY: Wait until time t specified in the DELAY command,t{LF} usually the prescribed connection time. CONNECT: Perform aconnection routine to establish a communication {LF} link to the server,transmit the patient or patient type identification code, queryresponses, device measurements, and script identification code to theserver, and receive and store a new script program. When the serverinstructs the apparatus to disconnect, the script interpreter isrestarted, allowing the new script program to execute.

The script commands illustrated in Table 1 are representative of thepreferred embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. After consideration of the ensuing description, it will beapparent to one skilled in the art that many other suitable scriptinglanguages and sets of script commands may be used to implement theinvention.

Script generator 50 preferably stores a script program template which ituses to create each script program 40. To generate script program 40,script generator 50 inserts into the template the script informationentered in screen 56. For example, FIGS. 6A-611 illustrate sample scriptprogram 40 created by script generator 50 from the script informationshown in FIG. 5.

Script program 40 includes identification commands to determine thepatient or patient type from user buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D,monitoring device 68A, 68B, and 68C, card chip reader 64, printer port67, and display commands to display the queries and response choicesentered in fields 94 and 96, respectively. Script program 40 alsoincludes input commands to receive responses 42 to the queries. Scriptprogram 40 further includes a collect command to collect devicemeasurements 44 from monitoring device 28 specified in check boxes 98.Script program 40 also includes commands to establish a subsequentcommunication link to server 18 at the connection time specified infield 100. The steps included in script program 40 are also shown in theflow chart of FIGS. 12A-12B and will be discussed in the operationsection below.

Referring again to FIG. 2, script assignor 52 is for assigning scriptprograms 40 to the patients. Script programs 40 are assigned inaccordance with script assignment information entered throughworkstation 20. The script assignment information is entered through ascript assignment screen 57, which is preferably implemented as a webpage on server 18.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sample script assignment screen 57 as it appears onworkstation 20. Screen 57 includes check boxes 106 for selecting scriptprogram 40 to be assigned and check boxes 108 for selecting the patientor patient types to whom script program 40 is to be assigned. Screen 57also includes an ASSIGN SCRIPT button 112 for entering the assignments.When button 112 is pressed, script assignor 52 creates and stores foreach patient or patient type selected in check boxes 108 a respectivepointer to script program 40 selected in check boxes 106. Each pointeris stored in the patient or patient type look-up table 46 of database38. Screen 57 further includes an ADD SCRIPT button 110 for accessingscript entry screen 56 and a DELETE SCRIPT button 114 for deletingscript program 40.

Referring again to FIG. 2, report generator 54 is designed to generate apatient report 58 from the responses and device measurements received inserver 18. Patient report 58 is displayed on workstation 20. FIG. 10shows a sample patient report 58 produced by report generator 54 for aselected patient. Patient report 58 includes a graph 116 of devicemeasurements 44 received from the patient, as well as a listing ofresponses 42 received from the patient. Specific techniques for writinga report generator program to display data in this manner are well knownin the art.

The operation of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 11A-Cas a flow chart illustrating steps included in the monitoringapplication executed by server 18. In step 202, server 18 determines ifnew script information has been entered through script entry screen 56.If new script information has not been entered, server 18 proceeds tostep 206. If new script information has been entered, server 18 proceedsto step 204.

As shown in FIG. 5, the script information includes queries 94, and foreach query 94, corresponding responses choices 96. The scriptinformation also includes a selected monitoring device type from whichto collect device measurements 44. The script information furtherincludes a prescribed connection time for each apparatus to establish asubsequent communication link to server 18. The script information isgenerally entered in server 18 by a healthcare provider, such as thepatients' physician or case manager. Of course, any person desiring tocommunicate with the patients may also be granted access to server 18 tocreate and assign script programs 40. Further, it is to be understoodthat the system may include any number of workstations 20 for enteringscript generation and script assignment information in server 18.

In step 204, script generator 50 generates script program 40 from theinformation entered in screen 56. Script program 40 is stored indatabase 38. Steps 202 and 204 are preferably repeated to generatemultiple script programs, e.g. a script program for diabetes patients, ascript program for asthma patients, etc. Each script program 40corresponds to a respective one of the sets of queries 94 enteredthrough script entry screen 56. Following step 204, server 18 proceedsto step 206.

In step 206, server 18 determines if new script assignment informationhas been entered through assignment screen 57. If new script assignmentinformation has not been entered, server 18 proceeds to step 210. If newscript assignment information has been entered, server 18 proceeds tostep 208. As shown in FIG. 7, script programs 40 are assigned to eachpatient by selecting script program 40 through check boxes 106,selecting the patient or patient types to whom selected script program40 is to be assigned through check boxes 108, and pressing the ASSIGNSCRIPT button 112. When button 112 is pressed, script assignor 52creates for each patient or patient type selected in check boxes 108 arespective pointer to script program 40 selected in check boxes 106. Instep 208, each pointer is stored in look-up table 46 of database 38.Following step 208, server 18 proceeds to step 210.

In step 210, server 18 determines if apparatus 26 is remotely connectedto server 18. If not, server 18 proceeds directly to step 220. Ifapparatus 26 is connected, server 18 determines in a decision step 211whether to enforce security during communication with the remoteapparatus 26. In an embodiment of the invention, biometrics are used touniquely identify the individual using the remote apparatus 26. In astep 212 (FIG. 11B), biometric information is received from the remoteapparatus. The biometric information is compared to previously enrolledbiometric information in a decision step 213 to determine if thebiometric information sent by the remote apparatus 26 matches that of anauthorized user. If the information does not match an authorized user,the communication is rejected in a step 221 and the method progresses tostep 220.

If the biometric information does match an authorized user (step 213) orsecurity is not enabled (step 211), the method continues with step 214where the server 18 receives from apparatus 26 the patient or patienttype's unique identification code. This step can be achieved in a numberof ways. Biometric information identifying the patient can be sent atthis point if not duplicative of biometric information previously sent(e.g., in step 212). The patient can answer specific queries on display64 of apparatus 26, which allows identification of the patient'sidentity, condition, or disease. The patient's identification can alsobe recognized via monitoring device 28, including biometric informationobtained by the monitoring device 28 or a biometric sensor 79 incommunication with the monitoring device 28. Monitoring device 28 cancontain the patient's unique identification code, and can send it toapparatus 26. Apparatus 26 is also capable of recognizing the type ofmonitoring device 28, for example a blood glucose meter, to determinethe patient type, for example diabetes.

Data card reader 63 is a third way in which apparatus 26 can recognize apatient or patient type. Data card 65 contains information about thepatient's identity, condition or disease, and possibly prescriptioninformation, which can be read by data card reader 63 of apparatus 26.This information is then sent to server 18, where it is used todetermine which script program 40 is sent back to apparatus 26 to whichthe patient is to respond.

A fourth way in which apparatus 26 can identify a patient or patienttype is through printer port 67, as illustrated in FIG. 20. Patient datafrom the server 106 of another information system can be sent to aprinter 108 via apparatus 26. Apparatus 26 can then send the intercepteddata to server 18 of the remote monitoring system of the presentinvention, which can then send appropriate script program 40 toapparatus 26. A more detailed description of the data interceptionembodiment of the present invention is described below.

In step 216, server 18 uses the patient identification code orindividual identification information obtained as discussed above toretrieve from table 46 the pointer to script program 40 assigned to thepatient. If the script program is to be customized for an individual,this is determined in a decision step 217 and custom information ismerged into the script program in a step 218. The individual tocustomize the script program for is identified using the individualidentification information. The customization of script programs isdiscussed below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 18-21. Server 18then retrieves assigned script program 40 from database 38. In step 219,server 18 transmits assigned script program 40 to patient's apparatus 26through communication network 24. Following step 218, server 18 proceedsto step 220.

In step 220, server 18 determines if a patient report request has beenreceived from workstation 20. If no report request has been received,server 18 returns to step 202. If a report request has been received fora selected patient, server 18 retrieves from database 38, measurements44 and query responses 42 last received from the patient, step 222. Instep 224, server 18 generates and displays patient report 58 onworkstation 20. As shown in FIG. 10, report 58 includes devicemeasurements 44 and query responses 42 last received from the patient.Following step 224, the server returns to step 202.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate the steps executed by the remote apparatus 26.In a step 290, biometric information is gathered via a biometric sensor71, 73 that is integrated with the remote apparatus 26 (FIGS. 3-4) orits various embodiments (e.g., FIGS. 15, 17). The remote sensor 79 mayalternatively be integrated into a monitoring device 28 or may be aseparate device that is placed into communication with the monitoringdevice 28 or the remote apparatus 26. Any biometric sensor that gathersinformation that gathers information that reasonably identifies anindividual may be used. Since a number of biometric sensors arecommercially available and known to those skilled in the art, they willonly be briefly described herein. Examples of biometric sensors that maybe used by the apparatus 26 include an optical device (e.g., a cameracreated from a CCD), a silicon sensor (e.g., a chip that gathersinformation using the capacitance occurring as a result of a body partcoming into contact with the silicon chip), a sound sensor (e.g., amicrophone), an olfactory sensor (e.g., an “artificial nose”), apressure sensor for detecting the speed, stroke order and pressure ofhandwriting and/or a sensor for measuring three dimensional biometrictopology (e.g., a laser or ultrasound measuring device). The type ofbiometric sensor 71 used in an embodiment of the invention correspondsto the type of biometric information used by the methods of theinvention.

Biometric information includes information that when used alone or incombination with other information uniquely identifies an individualwith reasonable certainty. Examples of biometric information include:retina metrics, iris metrics, voice print metrics, body measurementmetrics, handwriting metric, body odor metrics, heart beat signaturemetrics and biometrics that may be discernable from the individual'sbody fluids such as blood, urine or breath. Retina metrics make use ofindividual blood vessel patterns on the retina of the eye which arephotographed, encoded, and compared to a previously coded “enrollment.”Iris metrics similarly refer to individualized patterns in the iris ofthe eye which are photographed, encoded, and compared to a previouslycoded “enrollment.” Voice print metrics capture a sample of anindividual voice which reflect the physical structure producing thevoice and the developmental speech patterns. Body measurement metricsmap the physical measurement of the body and may include the physicalcharacteristics of a finger, a hand, a face or other parts of the body.Handwriting metrics may include not only a comparison of the handwritingto a know sample, but also characteristics such as the speed, strokeorder and pressure associated with, for instance, a signature.

Referring to FIG. 12A, biometric information is gathered in a step 290.Security for the apparatus 26 may be configured separately from thesecurity settings of the server 18. In a decision step 292, an apparatusconfiguration is checked to determine if security has been enabled forthe remote apparatus 26. If security is not enabled, the methodcontinues with step 296. If security is enabled, the biometricinformation collected in step 290 is checked in a decision step 294against local biometric information maintained for authorized users. Ifthe biometric information verifies with the local biometric information,the method continues with step 296. The method ends at step 334 (FIG.12C) if the biometric information does not verify with the localbiometric information.

The method continues with the script program 40 being executed byapparatus 26. Before script program 40 is received, apparatus 26 isprogrammed with the script interpreter used by microprocessor 76 toexecute script program 40. The initial programming may be achievedduring the connection to server 18. Following initial programming,apparatus 26 receives (step 296) from server 18 script program 40assigned to the patient associated with apparatus 26. Script program 40is received by modem 86 through a first communication link and stored inmemory 80.

In step 302 (FIG. 12B), microprocessor 76 assigns a scriptidentification code to script program 40 and stores the scriptidentification code in memory 80. In step 304, microprocessor 76 lightsLED 74 to notify the patient that he or she has unanswered queriesstored in apparatus 26. LED 74 preferably remains lit until the queriesare answered by the patient.

In step 308, microprocessor 76 prompts the patient by displaying ondisplay 64 “ANSWER QUERIES NOW? PRESS ANY BUTTON TO START”. In step 310,microprocessor 76 waits until a reply to the prompt is received from thepatient. When a reply is received, microprocessor 76 proceeds to step312. In step 312, microprocessor 76 executes successive display andinput commands to display the queries and response choices on display 64and to receive responses 42 to the queries.

FIG. 8 illustrate a sample query and its corresponding response choicesas they appear on display 64. The response choices are positioned ondisplay 64 such that each response choice is located proximate to arespective one of input buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D. In the preferredembodiment, each response choice is displayed immediately aboverespective input button 70. The patient presses input button 70A, 70B,70C, and 70D corresponding to his or her response. Microprocessor 76stores each response in memory 80.

In steps 314-318, microprocessor 76 executes commands to collect devicemeasurements 44 from selected monitoring device 28 if it is directed todo so by script program 40. Script program 40 specifies selectedmonitoring device 28 from which to collect measurements 44. In step 314,microprocessor 76 prompts the patient to connect selected monitoringdevice 28, for example a blood glucose meter, to one of device jacks68A, 68B, and 68C. A sample prompt is shown in FIG. 10. In step 316,microprocessor 76 waits until a reply to the prompt is received from thepatient. When a reply is received, microprocessor 76 proceeds to step318. Microprocessor 76 also connects UART 78 to interface 90 throughswitch 88. In step 318, microprocessor 76 collects device measurements44 from monitoring device 28 through interface 90. Measurements 44 arestored in memory 80.

In the preferred embodiment, apparatus 26 is always plugged intotelephone jack 22. If not, however, microprocessor 76 prompts thepatient to connect apparatus 26 to telephone jack 22 so that apparatus26 may connect to server 18 at the prescribed connection time in step320. In step 322, microprocessor 76 waits until a reply to the prompt isreceived from the patient. When a reply is received, microprocessor 76turns off LED 74 in step 324. In step 326, microprocessor 76 waits untilit is time to connect to server 18. Microprocessor 76 compares theconnection time specified in script program 40 to the current timeoutput by clock 84. When it is time to connect, microprocessor 76connects UART 78 to modem 86 through switch 88.

In step 328, microprocessor 76 establishes a subsequent communicationlink between apparatus 26 and server 18 through modem 86 andcommunication network 24. If the connection fails for any reason,microprocessor 76 repeats step 328 to get a successful connection.Biometric information gathered by the remote apparatus 26 is transmittedto the server 18 in a step 329. In step 330, microprocessor 76 transmitsdevice measurements 44, query responses 42, script identification code,and patient or patient type identification code stored in memory 80 toserver 18 through the subsequent communication link. In step 332,microprocessor 76 receives through modem 86 new script program 40 fromserver 18. New script program 40 is stored in memory 80 for subsequentexecution by microprocessor 76. Following step 332, script program 40ends.

In the above description, apparatus 26 connects to server 18 each time anew patient identification is entered. FIG. 13 shows an alternativeembodiment, where apparatus 26 connects to server 18 at one time duringthe day. During this connection period, apparatus 26 receives fromserver 18 all script programs 40 it expects to need during the followingday. As shown in FIG. 13, steps 202-208 are the same as above, withserver 18 generating and storing new script assignments and new scriptprograms if needed. In step 210, apparatus 26 connects with server 18.In step 216, server 18 retrieves script programs 40 from database 38.Script programs 40 can be for patients who are likely to use apparatus26 the following day, or script programs 40 can be for generalconditions, diseases, or prescriptions that are requested everyday. Instep 218, server 18 transmits assigned script program 40 to patient'sapparatus 26 through communication network 24. Following step 218,server 18 proceeds to step 220, which is carried out in the same manneras the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

In the embodiment of FIG. 13, patients' responses to all queries aretransmitted from apparatus 26 to server 18 during a single connectionperiod, ideally the same connection period when script programs 40 aredownloaded into apparatus 26 for the following day. FIGS. 14A and 14Bshow the steps of script program 40 for the embodiment of FIG. 13.Notice all steps are the same, except for the addition of step 325. Instep 325, apparatus 26 has the option of repeating another scriptprogram sequence for the same or another patient before connecting toserver 18. Thus, many patients can use apparatus 26 during the day.Apparatus 26 stores all their responses 42 and measurements 44, and thenforwards them to server 18 at the end of the day, as shown in step 330.Apparatus 26 used in this embodiment must have sufficient memory means80.

The main advantage of the present invention is that it does not requirethat each patient purchase his or her own apparatus 26. Instead,patients can visit their nearest pharmacy or healthcare clinic whereapparatus 26 is located and answer queries there. Since apparatus 26only requires identification of a patient or patient type in order toconnect to server 18 and download appropriate script program 40, anypatient can use any apparatus 18 as long as they have a patientidentification code, data card, or monitoring device. Ideally, patientswho are traveling or are far from home can just stop into any pharmacyand answer queries, which will get sent back to server 18.

A second advantage of the monitoring system is that it allows eachapparatus 26 to be programmed remotely through script programs 40.Patient surveys, connection times, display prompts, selected monitoringdevices, patient customization, and other operational details of eachapparatus may be easily changed by transmitting a new script program 40to apparatus 26. Moreover, each script program 40 may be easily createdand assigned by remotely accessing server through 18 the Internet. Thus,the invention provides a powerful, convenient, and inexpensive systemfor remotely monitoring a large number of patients.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention in whicheach remotely programmable apparatus has speech recognition and speechsynthesis functionality. FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of anapparatus 27 according to the second embodiment. Apparatus 27 includes aspeaker 72 for audibly communicating queries and prompts to the patient.Apparatus 27 also includes a microphone 118 for receiving spokenresponses to the queries and prompts. Apparatus 27 may optionallyinclude a display 64 for displaying prompts to the patient, as shown inFIG. 17.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the components ofapparatus 27 in greater detail. Apparatus 27 is similar in design toapparatus 26 of the preferred embodiment except that apparatus 27includes an audio processor chip 120 in place of microprocessor 76.Audio processor chip 120 is preferably an RSC-164 chip commerciallyavailable from Sensory Circuits Inc. of 1735 N. First Street, San Jose,Calif. 95112.

Audio processor chip 120 has a microcontroller 122 for executing scriptprograms 40 received from server 18. A memory 80 is connected tomicrocontroller 122. Memory 80 stores script programs 40 and a scriptinterpreter used by microcontroller 122 to execute script programs 40.Memory 80 also stores measurements 44 received from monitoring device28, responses 42 to the queries, and script identification codes.

Audio processor chip 120 also has built in speech synthesisfunctionality for synthesizing queries and prompts to a patient throughspeaker 72. For speech synthesis, chip 120 includes a digital to analogconverter (DAC) 142 and an amplifier 144. DAC 142 and amplifier 144drive speaker 72 under the control of microcontroller 122.

Audio processor chip 120 further has built in speech recognitionfunctionality for recognizing responses spoken into microphone 118.Audio signals received through microphone 118 are converted toelectrical signals and sent to a preamp and gain control circuit 128.Preamp and gain control circuit 128 is controlled by an automatic gaincontrol circuit 136, which is in turn controlled by microcontroller 122.After being amplified by preamp 128, the electrical signals enter chip120 and pass through a multiplexer 130 and an analog to digitalconverter (ADC) 132. The resulting digital signals pass through adigital logic circuit 134 and enter microcontroller 122 for speechrecognition.

Audio processor chip 120 also includes a RAM 138 for short term memorystorage and a ROM 140 which stores programs executed by microcontroller122 to perform speech recognition and speech synthesis. Chip 120operates at a clock speed determined by a crystal 126. Chip 120 alsoincludes a clock 84 which provides the current date and time tomicrocontroller 122. As in the preferred embodiment, apparatus 27includes an LED 74, display driver 82, modem 86, and device interface90, all of which are connected to microcontroller 122.

The operation of the second embodiment is similar to the operation ofthe preferred embodiment except that queries, response choices, andprompts are audibly communicated to the patient through speaker 72rather than being displayed to the patient on display 64. The operationof the second embodiment also differs from the operation of thepreferred embodiment in that responses 42 to the queries and prompts arereceived through microphone 118 rather than through user input buttons.

Script programs 40 of the second embodiment are similar to the scriptprogram shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, except that each display command isreplaced by a speech synthesis command and each input command isreplaced by a speech recognition command. The speech synthesis commandsare executed by microcontroller 122 to synthesize queries, responsechoices, and prompts through speaker 72. The speech recognition commandsare executed by microcontroller 122 to recognize responses 42 spokeninto microphone 118.

For example, to ask the patient how he or she feels and record aresponse, microcontroller 122 first executes a speech synthesis commandto synthesize through speaker 72 “How do you feel? Please answer withone of the following responses: very bad, bad, good, or very good.”Next, microcontroller 118 executes a speech recognition command torecognize the response spoken into microphone 118. The recognizedresponse is stored in memory 80 and subsequently transmitted to server18. Other than the differences described, the operation and advantagesof the second embodiment are the same as the operation and advantages ofthe preferred embodiment described above.

Although the first and second embodiments focus on querying individualsand collecting responses to the queries, the system of the invention isnot limited to querying applications. The system may also be used simplyto communicate messages to the individuals. FIGS. 18-21 illustrate athird embodiment in which the system is used to perform this automatedmessaging function. In the third embodiment, each script programcontains a set of statements to be communicated to an individual ratherthan a set of queries to be answered by the individual. Of course, itwill be apparent to one skilled in the art that the script programs mayoptionally include both queries and statements.

The third embodiment also shows how the queries and statements may becustomized to each individual by merging personal data with the scriptprograms, much like a standard mail merge application. Referring to FIG.18, personal data relating to each individual is preferably stored inlook-up table 46 of database 38. By way of example, the data may includeeach individual's name, the name of each individual's physician, testresults, appointment dates, or any other desired data. As in thepreferred embodiment, database 38 also stores generic script programs 40created by script generator 50.

Server 18 includes a data merge program 55 for merging the data storedin table 46 with generic script programs 40. Data merge program 55 isdesigned to retrieve selected data from table 46 and to insert the datainto statements in generic script programs 40, thus creating customscript programs 41. Each custom script program 41 contains statementswhich are customized to an individual. For example, the statements maybe customized with the individual's name, test results, etc. Examples ofsuch customized statements are shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

The operation of the third embodiment is similar to the operation of thepreferred embodiment except that script programs 40 are used tocommunicate messages to the individuals rather than to query theindividuals. Each message is preferably a set of statements. Referringto FIG. 18, the statements may be entered in server 18 through scriptentry screen 56, just like the queries of the preferred embodiment.

Each statement preferably includes one or more insert commandsspecifying data from table 46 to be inserted into the statement. Theinsert commands instruct data merge program 55 to retrieve the specifieddata from database 38 and to insert the data into the statement. Forexample, the insert commands shown in FIG. 21 instruct the data mergeprogram to insert a physician name, an appointment date, a patient name,and a test result into the statements. As in the preferred embodiment,each statement may also include one or more response choices which areentered in fields 96.

Following entry of the statements and response choices, CREATE SCRIPTbutton 102 is pressed. When button 102 is pressed, script generator 50generates a generic script program from the information entered inscreen 56. The generic script program is similar to script program 40shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, except that the display commands specifystatements to be displayed rather than queries. Further, the statementsinclude insert commands specifying data to be inserted into scriptprogram 40. As in the preferred embodiment, multiple script programs arepreferably generated, e.g. a generic script program for diabetespatients, a generic script program for asthma patients, etc. The genericscript programs are stored in database 38.

Following generation of the generic script programs, server 18 receivesscript assignment information entered through script assignment screen57. As shown in FIG. 7, script programs 40 are assigned by firstselecting one of the generic script programs through check boxes 106,selecting individuals through check boxes 108, and pressing the ASSIGNSCRIPT button 112. When button 112 is pressed, data merge program 55creates a custom script program for each individual selected in checkboxes 108.

Each custom script program is preferably created by using the selectedgeneric script program as a template. For each individual selected, datamerge program 55 retrieves from database 38 the data specified in theinsert commands. Next, data merge program 55 inserts the data into theappropriate statements in the generic script program to create a customscript program for the individual. Each custom script program is storedin database 38.

As each custom script program is generated for an individual, scriptassignor 52 assigns the custom script program to the individual. This ispreferably accomplished by creating a pointer to the custom scriptprogram and storing the pointer with the individual's uniqueidentification code in table 46. When the individual's remote apparatusconnects to server 18, server 18 receives from apparatus 26 theindividual's unique identification code. Server 18 uses the uniqueidentification code to retrieve from table 46 the pointer to the customscript program assigned to the individual. Next, server 18 retrieves theassigned custom script program from database 38 and transmits theassigned custom script program to apparatus 26 through communicationnetwork 24.

Apparatus 26 receives and executes script program 40. The execution ofscript program 40 is similar to the execution described in the preferredembodiment, except that statements are displayed to the individualrather than queries. FIGS. 17-18 illustrate two sample statements asthey appear on display 64. Each statement includes a response choice,preferably an acknowledgment such as “OK”. After reading a statement,the individual presses the button corresponding to the response choiceto proceed to the next statement. Alternatively, script program 40 mayspecify a period of time that each statement is to be displayed beforeproceeding to the next statement. The remaining operation of the thirdembodiment is analogous to the operation of the preferred embodimentdescribed above.

The multi-user capabilities of the present invention allow for thecollection and tracking of patient data. Apparatuses 26 are connected toone or more servers 18. They are placed in a number of different publicplaces, such as pharmacies, where they are accessible to a wide range ofpatients. Patient responses 42 and measurements 44 are received byapparatuses 26 in the manner described above. The data is then sent toserver or servers 18 where it is collected and organized. Ideally,pharmaceutical companies or healthcare providers will use monitoringsystem 16 to gather patient response to their products or services. Thecompanies or providers will send queries or script programs 40 to server18, which will then send queries or script programs 40 to one or moreapparatuses 26. After patients have answered the queries or attachedtheir monitoring devices 28, server 18 will send the patient data backto the companies and providers.

FIG. 22 shows how the present invention can be used in conjunction witha separate information system, such as a pharmacy information system.Patient data from the pharmacy information system 105 can be interceptedby the apparatus 29 in order to trigger the execution of script programs40. In this embodiment, apparatus 29 is located in series between thepharmacy server 106 of pharmacy information system 105 and the pharmacyprinter 108. Pharmacy information system 105 comprises pharmacy server106, pharmacy workstation 107, and pharmacy printer 108. Patient datasent from pharmacy server 106 to pharmacy printer 108 must pass throughapparatus 29. Apparatus 29 takes the patient data and sends it to server18 of the system of the present invention. Server 18 uses patient datato determine which script program 40 to send to apparatus 29 for patientto answer. It is obvious that this method can be used to identify thepatient to apparatus 29 and also server 18.

Alternatively, interception of patient data by apparatus 29 can be usedto trigger printing of information on pharmacy printer 108. In thisembodiment, apparatus 29 is again located in series between pharmacyserver 106 of separate information system 105 and pharmacy printer 108.When apparatus 29 receives the patient data, it triggers a stored scriptprogram 40, which commands pharmacy printer 108 to print out informationfor the patient. This information differs in content from the patientdata and is printed in addition to it. In addition, the patient data canalso be sent to server 18 to trigger additional script program 40 whichdisplays queries on display 64 of apparatus 29 to be answered bypatient.

FIG. 23 shows a block diagram of apparatus 29 as used in thisembodiment, while FIG. 24 shows a schematic block diagram illustratingthe components of apparatus 29 in greater detail. FIGS. 23 and 24 aresimilar to FIGS. 3 and 4, except for the addition of a server port 69 inboth figures. Server port 69 is used to connect apparatus 29 to pharmacyserver 106. Server port 69 can receive a standard SCSI cable connectionor a telephone cable connection, in which case it operates as a modern.Thus apparatus 29 can connect to server 18 through modem jack 66,pharmacy server 106 through server port 69, monitoring device 28 throughdevice jacks 68A, 68R, and 68C, and pharmacy printer 108 through printerport 67.

Summary, Ramifications, And Scope

Although the above description contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention but merelyas illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Manyother embodiments of the invention are possible. For example, thescripting language and script commands shown are representative of thepreferred embodiment. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art manyother scripting languages and specific script commands may be used toimplement the invention.

Moreover, the invention is not limited to the specific applicationsdescribed. The system and method of the invention have many otherapplications both inside and outside the healthcare industry. Forexample, the system may also be used by insurance companies and medicalclinics to conduct all types of surveys of patients. Retailers andservice companies can conduct all types of surveys of consumers.Marketing firms can use the invention to do widespread market research.In addition, stores can use the invention to receive information fromcustomers regarding their shopping tastes. An example of thisapplication would be a bridal registry.

The invention may also be used for educational purposes, such as testingstudents remotely. Students can use the apparatus to take nationalstandardized multiple-choice tests, such as the Graduate RecordExamination (GRE). In addition, the invention can be used for financialpurposes. Banks, utilities, credit card companies, etc. can send billinginformation from their servers to customers using the apparatuses.Customers can then authorize the institutions to transfer funds, paytheir bills, etc.

Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined not by theexamples given, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a measurementapparatus within a housing configured to be carried by a patient, saidmeasurement apparatus configured to (i) measure one or more healthcondition parameters of the patient and (ii) generate health datarepresentative of the health condition parameters; a recording devicewithin said housing and configured to (a) store (i) the health data and(ii) identification data unique to each of one or more respectiveauthorized users and (b) communicate the health data and theidentification data to an external computer; and a processor within saidhousing configured to (A) determine if the patient is one of theauthorized users based on the identification data and (B) if the patientis authorized (i) receive a program from the external computer, saidprogram comprising an identification number, one or more queries and oneor more sets of response choices corresponding to said queries, whereinsaid identification number of said program is different from saididentification data of said one or more authorized users, (ii) executethe program to present said one or more queries and the one or more setsof response choices to the patient via a display within said housing,(iii) gather one or more responses from the patient to the queries and(iv) transmit the responses and the identification number of the programthat gathered the responses to the external computer.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the recording device records a medicationadministration amount.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, the housing havingdimensions less than 20 centimeters.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein a health condition of the patient includes a diabetes condition,said health condition parameters include a blood glucose parameter, saidhealth data includes a blood glucose level, and said measurementapparatus includes a blood glucose meter.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the housing has a plurality of outer dimensions each less than20 centimeters.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the recordingdevice records an insulin infusion amount.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the recording device is further configured to communicate theinsulin infusion amount to the external computer at a prescribed timeaccording to a transmit command in the program.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the recording device is further configured tocommunicate the blood glucose level to the external computer before theexternal computer transmits the program to the apparatus.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the blood glucose meter further comprisesa patient interface and is configured to perform a blood glucosemeasurement upon patient interaction with the patient interface.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said identification datacomprises biometric information.
 11. The apparatus according to claim10, wherein said biometric information comprises at least one of retinametrics, iris metrics, voice print metrics, body measurement metrics,handwriting metrics, body odor metrics, heart beat signature metrics,and biometrics discernable from body fluids of the patient such asblood, urine or breath.
 12. An apparatus, comprising: a measurementapparatus disposed within a housing that is sufficiently compact to behand held and carried by a patient, said measurement apparatusconfigured to (i) measure one or more health condition parameters of thepatient and (ii) generate health data representative of the healthcondition parameters; a recording device disposed within said housingand configured to (A) store (i) a medication administration amount ofthe patient and (ii) identification data unique to one or morerespective authorized users and (B) communicate the health data and theidentification data to an external computer; and a processor disposedwithin said housing and configured to (A) determine whether the patientis one of the authorized users based on the identification data and (B)when the patient is an authorized user (1) receive a program from theexternal computer, wherein said program comprises (i) an identificationnumber separate from said identification data of said one or moreauthorized users, (ii) one or more queries, and (iii) one or more setsof response choices corresponding to said one or more queries, (2)execute the program to present the one or more queries and the one ormore sets of response choices corresponding to the one or more queriesto the patient via a display within the housing, (3) gather one or moreresponses from the patient to the one or more queries, and (4) transmitthe responses and the identification number of the program that gatheredthe responses to the external computer.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the recording device further records the health data.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the recording device is furtherconfigured to communicate the health data and the medicationadministration amount to the external computer at a prescribed timeaccording to a transmit command in the program received from theexternal computer.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the housinghas one or more outer dimensions less than 20 centimeters.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein a health condition of the patientincludes a diabetes condition, said health condition parameters includea blood glucose parameter, said health data includes a blood glucoselevel, said medication administration amount includes an insulininfusion amount, and said measurement apparatus includes a blood glucosemeter.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said identification datacomprises biometric information including at least one of retinametrics, iris metrics, voice print metrics, body measurement metrics,handwriting metrics, body odor metrics, heart beat signature metrics,and biometrics discernable from body fluids of the patient such asblood, urine or breath.
 18. An apparatus, comprising: a measurementapparatus within a housing that is sufficiently compact to be hand heldand carried by a patient, said measurement apparatus configured to (i)measure one or more health condition parameters of the patient and (ii)generate health data representative of the health condition parameters;a recording device within said housing configured to (A) store (i) thehealth data, (ii) a medication administration amount, and (iii)identification data unique to each of one or more respective authorizedusers and (B) communicate the health data and the identification data toan external computer; and a processor within said housing configured to(A) determine whether the patient is one of the authorized users basedon the identification data and (B) when the patient is authorized (1)request a program from the external computer, said program comprising(i) an identification number, (ii) one or more queries and (iii) one ormore sets of response choices corresponding to said one or more queries,wherein said identification number of said program is different fromsaid identification data of said one or more authorized users, (2)execute the program to present the one or more queries and the one ormore sets of response choices to the patient via a display within saidhousing, (3) gather one or more responses from the patient to thequeries, and (4) transmit the responses and the identification number ofthe program that gathered the responses to the external computer. 19.The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said identification datacomprises biometric information.
 20. The apparatus according to claim19, wherein said biometric information comprises at least one of retinametrics, iris metrics, voice print metrics, body measurement metrics,handwriting metrics, body odor metrics, heart beat signature metrics,and biometrics discernable from body fluids of the patient such asblood, urine or breath.